An anonymous request to Scioto County Children’s Services for a wellness check on children on Riddlebarger Road has led to the arrest of a man and woman.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman states his office was contacted by Scioto County Children Services Wednesday, Sept. 4, reporting they had received an anonymous call asking for a welfare check on children living on Riddlebarger Road.

Thoroughman said Detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel and Detective John Cart, along with an investigator from Children’s Services, responded to 1257 Riddlebarger Road. Detectives observed four children ranging from ages of 1 year to to 7 years living inside the residence. All of the children were found to be filthy and they had multiple injuries. The house was in deplorable conditions; filled with trash and infested with bugs.

The children were taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.

The two adults were transported to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation, which resulted in the couples’ arrest. Arrested were David L Shepherd, 27, and Amanda C Shepherd, 29, both of 1257 Riddlebarger Road. Both have been charged with three counts of endangering children, a second-degree felony; four counts of endangering children, a third-degree felony; and three counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony.

The Shepherds are currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $410,000 bond and appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation, which may result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury at a later date. Anyone with information should contact Detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel at (740) 351-1091.

The Shepherds have not yet been scheduled to appear in Scioto County Court of Common Pleas.

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